Church or no church?
In Psalm 68:6, David, under divine inspiration, proclaims, “God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those who are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.”
These words hold a profound truth that resonates with the nature and purpose of the local church — the assembly of believers.
David’s statement carries significant weight, emphasizing an unshakable axiom and self-evident truth: God knows nothing of solitary or “personal” Christianity in isolation. Throughout history, from the very beginning, God has consistently called His people together.
When we examine the life of Jesus in the flesh, we witness His intentional pursuit of a family of like-minded ones. He sought out the company of the elders in the temple, selected imperfect disciples to work closely with Him, taught multitudes of people, and even appeared among a company of men after His resurrection.
These instances demonstrate a fundamental truth: our faith journey is not meant to be walked alone. God designed us for community, and understanding that we thrive and grow best in the context of a collective body of believers is very important. The local church serves as a God-ordained setting for you as a believer to thrive. In the church, you are taught and trained to do the ministry of Christ, you are nurtured to be effective in your Christian walk and made to practise the same.
Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He left His disciples with a crucial instruction — to gather together. This gathering, as recorded in Acts 1 and 2, marked the beginning of numerous like-minded assembling of believers. It is important to note that those absent from the Acts 2 gathering could not personally experience the filling of the Holy Spirit anywhere else, save Jerusalem, where the meeting was held.
God’s work on the earth today is through the Church. While it is true that God works through each individual believer, He also places great significance on the physical gathering of believers in His name. He gave us pastors, prophets, and teachers for this very purpose of maturing us in His Church.
Ephesians 4:11-12;
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
If you want to grow, you must embrace and be committed to one local Church. Don’t assume oversight when you are yet to submit to the authority of a local church. In our fast-paced and ever-shifting world, marked by constant busyness and endless activities, the truly blessed are those who honour and understand the significance of our gathering as believers. Those who remain committed to their local church and wholeheartedly embrace the training and growth and family found within it are truly blessed.
Understand this truth: it is impossible for anyone to fulfil the calling that God has placed upon their lives without a genuine commitment to a local church or assembly. When we accept Christ, we are not only called to embrace a personal relationship with Him but also to connect with His people, flawed as they may be, and identify with them corporately. God raises Armies, He doesn’t enlist Privates.
Daily Bible Reading Plan:
Bible Reading – Jeremiah 26-28
TEACHING OF THE DAY
Why this waste? (1)